What Happens When a Hunter Lives With a Family of PETA Activists?

Written by PETA | June 9, 2008

You’d be surprised, actually. I know that my friend Melissa Karpel and her family (who were the activists in this case) certainly weren’t expecting things to turn out the way they did. The reason this all came about was for Morgan Spurlock’s series, 30 Days, in which people from opposite sides of an issue spend a month together to see what will happen (in one of the episodes, for instance, a woman who believes homosexuality is a sin moves in with a gay couple raising a family). But what I like best about this show is that it’s not one of these cheap reality TV stunts that are designed to have people at each other’s throats—it’s a very thoughtful look at how reasonable people with strong convictions on opposite sides of an ideal adjust to spending time with each other. And the upcoming show, starring George Snedeker and the Karpels, is a wonderful example of the philosophy behind 30 Days in action. You don’t see them, because I don’t publish them, but I get a number of fairly abusive comments on this blog from people who have decided that they think animal rights is a waste of time, and feel the need to try and insult and belittle people who have devoted their lives to helping animals—but for every ignorant person like that, there’s a George Snedeker, who, while he may not share our convictions, is willing to listen with an open mind and engage in a genuine discussion about the issues. I won’t spoil the show for you by telling you how it turns out, but you should definitely check it out if you get the opportunity. It’s on FX on June 17 at 10:00pm. I’ll post again when it’s airing as a reminder. In the meantime, here are some pics:

I think the arguments against hunting are the weakest arguments against a kind of animal use… …because in SOME situations it is not clear that the hunter is really causing more suffering than he or she is preventing.

We live n Detroit Michigan.I saw channel 2 Detriot News on tv this morning that Detriot Edison Power ELECTRIC COMPANYwas called by a family whoses dog Rotweiler had a power line fall on the dogthe dog’s owners called DTE they made them wait 3 days.The dog of coarse died as a result of DTE’s assolich neglet.As a dog owner that keeps her pets indoorsI’m outraged!PLZ investigate this situation help the dog’s owners bring the neglectful power co up on criminal animal negect charges!TXU Mrs.Janel Szabo

I read elsewhere the entire family he lived with is vegan. That’s awesome. I also read that the guy is not a sports hunter exactly. He uses the entire animal he kills according to the paper. Still ugh.

By the way I hope there is some sort of automatic response system for particular types of comments like about “nature” etc. because as Bruce says some of the most defensive people are actually receptive to thoughtful arguments etc. I’d hate to see potential mindchangers miss their opportunity.

I love Morgan Spurlock but its weird that his wife didn’t convince him to even be vegetarian. This is an issue with a right and a wrong so anyone who takes the time can see that speciesism is as unjustifiable as any other prejudice. His wife should sincerely ask him to watch the movie Earthlings or read Animal Liberation or something so he knows why she is doing what she does. I doubt the family of activists will ever explain speciesism. Glad about the show regardless.

THANK YOU for telling us when this will be on…I just read something about it in the paper last week but didn’t know the date and was afraid I had missed it. I’m looking forward to seeing it. And I should have known that you would let us know…you are so on top of things… And I only send you comments needing kind words or pickmeups cause I get discouraged…that’s only been a couple of times… Mostly I send you stuff looking for cruelty caseworkers…who seem to have hidden in the cracks and basements of the PETA offices…

Almost all of us grew up eating meat, wearing leather, and going to circuses and zoos. We never considered the impact of these actions on the animals involved. For whatever reason, you are now asking the question: Why should animals have rights? Read more.